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(No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 1. P. E. DOWE.

CHAIR. A No. 323,797, Patented Aug. 4, 1885 mi g' n Perceyowe 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. E. DOWE.

(No Model.)

CHAIR.

Patented Aug. 4, 1885.

Pecyvwe Nrrnn STATES '"PATRNT trice.

rRRor Down, orv BLACK RrvRR, NRW YORK.

CHAIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,797, dated August 4, 1885.

Application tiled April 6, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, PRRcY E. Down, a citizen of f the United States, residing at Black River, Jefferson county, New York, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide a chair in which the sitteris enabled to I assume an upright position, as in any ordinary straight-back chair, and positions at various angles down to a horizontal or recumbent state, all the 'movements to bring the chair into the required positions being possible without the necessity of the sitter rising from the chair.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of devices which will be hereinafter more fully described, and then set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a platform rocking-chair having my adjustable back and seat, showing the parts in their normal positions. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of thesame chair, showing the back and seat shifted into a nearly horizontal position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a floor rocker-chair having my improvements applied thereto. Fig. 4 exhibits in side elevation a leg-chair with-my adjustable back and seat. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the seatframe. Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of the back and seat, showing the manner of connecting them.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, the referencenumeral 1 designates the base-frame of a platform rocking-chair, upon which is mounted the rocking body-frame 2, having customary rockers operating upon the side rails of the base-frame. The body-frame receives and carries a back-frame, 3, and a seat-frame, 4, which are connected together by a pivot-j oint, as will be hereinafter set forth, the seat-frame being supported by loosely resting on a transverse rod or bar secured to the front of the bodyframe, on which rod or bar the seat can slide or rock and tilt, as hereinafter described. The back-frame 3 consists of two side bars connected at the top and bottom by suitable crosspieces and provided with a covering of webbing or other suitable material. The side bars of the back-frame are extended beyond the lower transverse connecting-piece, and form points of support for the rear end of the seatframe 4. This frame is also suitably covered or upholstered, and it has a rear cross-bar, the ends of which terminate in gudgeons or trunnions 6, which t and turn in seats made in the lower ends of the side bars of the backframe. The latter is connected with the bodyframe 2 by means of pivots 7, located a short distance above the lower ends of the backframe, as is fully indicated in the drawings. These pivots may be in the form of bolts passing through the two frames, to be pivotally connected, or any other means may be resorted to for making the connection. On the outer faces of the lower ends of the side bars of the back-frame are applied pins, lugs, or projections 9, which are designed to engage with locking devices carried by the body-frame in order to hold said back and seat frames in different positions. In the present instance these locking devices are in the form of rods or bars 10, which are pivoted to the sides of the body-frame and extend obliquely in a rearward direction. The free lower portions of these rods or bars are toothed or serrated, as is shown at 11, and the teeth thus formed engage with the lugs or projections 9 on the backframe. The pressure of the sitter upon the back-frame will generally suffice to hold the toothed bars in proper engagement with the lugs on the back-frame; but for greater safety it may sometimes be necessary to' resort to springs for holding the parts thus engaged. In Fig. 3 is shown a body-frame, 2, having rockers 12 resting upon the floor, and in Fig. 4 the body-frame has vertical legs 15 and no rockers. The shape and construction of the body-frames may be changed to suit the requirements of the case, and I have in the present instance exemplified different types merely to show the adaptation of my invention to different styles of chairs.

By the construction and manner ot' connecting and mount-ing the back and seat frames shown by me it is obvious that if a person reclining in the chair rises in the seat and presses his weight against the lower part of the back the latter will be carried into an upright position and the seat moved inwardly so as to lie horizontally, as is indicated in Fig. l. Vhen a reclining position is desired, the side IOO fastening devices are disengaged, and then by pressing against the Upper part of the back with the body different angles from a right angle with the seat to a iiat horizontal position may be obtained, it being obvious that the parts are secured after the proper adj ustinent has been made by means ofthe side fastening devices. It is also apparent that by reason of the special connection of the seat-frame with the back-frame and the location of the pivotjoint, as shown, the act of tilting the back will cause the seat to slide forward and assume an inclined position, thereby keeping the feet of the occupant of the chair on the floor.

The position ofthe parts just referred to is fully indicated in Fig. 2.

A chair of the construction shown by nie is simple, strong, and durable, and the parts are so contrived that the angles of the back of the chair can be regulated Without moving the body, and in rising the seat and back are restored to their normal positions by the motion and weight of the body applied in the act of rising. It may be observed that by raising the front of the seat the side catch-bars are 25 simultaneously released.

I do not broadly claim a chair composed of a body-frame, a sliding seat, and a back-frame pivoted to the body-frame, and also pivoted to the rear of the seat.

What I claim is- The combination of the body-frame and the sliding seat with the back-frame pivoted to the body-frame, and having downward exten sions provided with a lug or catch and pivoted 3 5 to the seat, and a toothed rod or catch-bar pivoted to the body-frame and extending downward and rearward to engage the lug or catch on the back-frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 4o presence of two witnesses.

PERCY E. DOVE.

itnessesz BYRON N. SCOTT, HENRY C. DEXTER. 

